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*Official* New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2019
- Thread starter Raghav
- Start date
straw man
Hall of Fame Member
Would be tempted to shock everyone by leaving Santner out - I had to refresh my memory on SL's top 7 but its mostly right handers (a couple of spots may have changed), which makes me think Ajaz should be the first spinner chosen. Agree with the general idea that Ajaz works well in Asian conditions while Somerville works better where bounce is more important.
That makes it harder to pick Santner obviously, being LHO like Ajaz, which seems to point to Somerville as second spinner and De Grandhomme as all-rounder.
Bowling attack 1 - Boult, Wagner, CDG, Ajaz, Somerville (CDG takes the new ball)
or alternative is to play Santner as the all-rounder anyway in place of CDG, and bring in Southee for the new ball in place of Wagner.
Bowling attack 2 - Boult, Southee, Ajaz, Somerville, Santner.
That makes it harder to pick Santner obviously, being LHO like Ajaz, which seems to point to Somerville as second spinner and De Grandhomme as all-rounder.
Bowling attack 1 - Boult, Wagner, CDG, Ajaz, Somerville (CDG takes the new ball)
or alternative is to play Santner as the all-rounder anyway in place of CDG, and bring in Southee for the new ball in place of Wagner.
Bowling attack 2 - Boult, Southee, Ajaz, Somerville, Santner.
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Bahnz
Hall of Fame Member
Seems like a sensible enough squad. SRL don't have a Yasir Shah to make CdG look like a club #11, so I don't feel as nervous about selecting him. My first choice XI would be the same as played the final test against Pakistan. Ajaz and Sommers are the best finger spinners in the country, so they should get the nod. Santner and CdG to fight it out for the allrounders spot.
New Zealand pick four spinners for Sri Lanka Tests
Somerville played a key role in New Zealand's historic series win in UAE last year by snaring seven wickets
Somerville played a key role in New Zealand's historic series win in UAE last year by snaring seven wickets
New Zealand have picked four spinners in their 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series on spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka.
William Somerville and Ajaz Patel, two of the spinners picked in the squad, played decisive roles in helping New Zealand clinch a historic 2-1 series win against Pakistan in UAE last year. Patel bagged 13 wickets in the series, while Somerville snared seven in the final Test in Abu Dhabi.
The duo will be joined in the squad by Mitchell Santner, left-arm spin, and Todd Astle, leg-spin. Santner, one of the mainstays of New Zealand's attack, hasn't played a Test since December 2017 due to a knee injury. However, he has recovered from the troublesome injury and represented the national side in the World Cup as well as home ODIs this season. Meanwhile, Astle made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in 2012.
"Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. "England were playing three spinners against Sri Lanka on their successful visit there last year and the slow bowlers also dominated the previous series against South Africa."
New Zealand have also gone in with just three specialist pacers - Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. Colin de Grandhomme is the seam-bowling all rounder in the squad. Lockie Ferguson, who is yet to play a Test, misses out on selection. The pacer bagged a rich haul of 21 scalps in the just-concluded World Cup. Tom Blundell, who made a hundred on Test debut, is the back-up 'keeper to BJ Watling.
Stead, on his part, noted that it was time for New Zealand to move forward as a group after their impressive campaign in the World Cup and concentrate on the Test championship. "It's good timing for us after the World Cup. It was an incredible time for the team and the country, but we're now excited to move forward as a group and sink our teeth into another opportunity."
The first Test of the series will be played in Galle, starting on August 14. The second match of the rubber will take place at Colombo PSS, commencing on August 22.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Will Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling
© Cricbuzz
credit to cricbuzz
Somerville played a key role in New Zealand's historic series win in UAE last year by snaring seven wickets
Somerville played a key role in New Zealand's historic series win in UAE last year by snaring seven wickets
New Zealand have picked four spinners in their 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series on spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka.
William Somerville and Ajaz Patel, two of the spinners picked in the squad, played decisive roles in helping New Zealand clinch a historic 2-1 series win against Pakistan in UAE last year. Patel bagged 13 wickets in the series, while Somerville snared seven in the final Test in Abu Dhabi.
The duo will be joined in the squad by Mitchell Santner, left-arm spin, and Todd Astle, leg-spin. Santner, one of the mainstays of New Zealand's attack, hasn't played a Test since December 2017 due to a knee injury. However, he has recovered from the troublesome injury and represented the national side in the World Cup as well as home ODIs this season. Meanwhile, Astle made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in 2012.
"Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. "England were playing three spinners against Sri Lanka on their successful visit there last year and the slow bowlers also dominated the previous series against South Africa."
New Zealand have also gone in with just three specialist pacers - Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. Colin de Grandhomme is the seam-bowling all rounder in the squad. Lockie Ferguson, who is yet to play a Test, misses out on selection. The pacer bagged a rich haul of 21 scalps in the just-concluded World Cup. Tom Blundell, who made a hundred on Test debut, is the back-up 'keeper to BJ Watling.
Stead, on his part, noted that it was time for New Zealand to move forward as a group after their impressive campaign in the World Cup and concentrate on the Test championship. "It's good timing for us after the World Cup. It was an incredible time for the team and the country, but we're now excited to move forward as a group and sink our teeth into another opportunity."
The first Test of the series will be played in Galle, starting on August 14. The second match of the rubber will take place at Colombo PSS, commencing on August 22.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Will Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling
© Cricbuzz
credit to cricbuzz
Kippax
Cricketer Of The Year
Visually, to what degree was Santner's 71 in India above and beyond Tastle's gritty junior partner knocks of the past? Legitimately fulfilling the Howsie prophecy and becoming late 2000s Vettori with the bat, buoyed by the fact there nothing quick and short to rattle him?
thundaboult
International Debutant
Yeah Lister on screen doesn't look all that fast. Probably 120-135. Still young though. Any idea on how quick this hazeldine guy is?
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
Hazledine is only very small, but he can really get a decent head of steam up from what I have seen, almost vaugely like a left arm Francios Plaatjies.
What ever happened to Michael Rae I wonder? He looked fast and bouncy, if perhaps a touch errattic
What ever happened to Michael Rae I wonder? He looked fast and bouncy, if perhaps a touch errattic
Kippax
Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah that bursitis in his right shoulder really dragged on badly for Rae, much to Athlai's draft team's detriment.
I did have a bit of hope from back when he was making YouTube videos that he could be one of those Nicholls/Neesham/Ferguson higher verbal IQ characters who may get further in the game than initially envisaged. The type who'll benefit from this growing trend over here for the hinterland's age group stars to establish a clear edge early, but then be found wanting a bit in terms of their discipline and their brains.
I did have a bit of hope from back when he was making YouTube videos that he could be one of those Nicholls/Neesham/Ferguson higher verbal IQ characters who may get further in the game than initially envisaged. The type who'll benefit from this growing trend over here for the hinterland's age group stars to establish a clear edge early, but then be found wanting a bit in terms of their discipline and their brains.
Jezroy
State Captain
Heard Stead on the radio today saying that from their research they expect Galle to favour spin, but Colombo to favour seamers. So with that in mind, they’ve really had to pick two attacks. Which may be completely out the window when they see the pitches.
And with Blundell the only batting cover... I guess that he’s covering middle order mainly. If one of Raval, Latham, or Williamson were to get injured, I guess Nicholls moves up and Blundell comes in lower down.
Also Gary pointed out that people get sore tummies in the subcontinent, so you never know who might be out.
And with Blundell the only batting cover... I guess that he’s covering middle order mainly. If one of Raval, Latham, or Williamson were to get injured, I guess Nicholls moves up and Blundell comes in lower down.
Also Gary pointed out that people get sore tummies in the subcontinent, so you never know who might be out.
Flem274*
123/5
am i going to get laughed at for rating hazeldine in that clip?
he looks really annoying to face, like a spitfire. neil wagner is dangerously close to kane and watling in height (so is malcolm marshall tbf) so it's not unheard of for a quick to be small.
i think the pakistani fast bowler biliwal bhatti is the shortest bowler with genuine pace i've ever seen. i think he was 5 foot 6 (so even more of a low rider than big daddy kane) and he drew the poor luck of getting to play home games in the uae. looked like he could be ok but faded away like so many bowlers do.
he looks really annoying to face, like a spitfire. neil wagner is dangerously close to kane and watling in height (so is malcolm marshall tbf) so it's not unheard of for a quick to be small.
i think the pakistani fast bowler biliwal bhatti is the shortest bowler with genuine pace i've ever seen. i think he was 5 foot 6 (so even more of a low rider than big daddy kane) and he drew the poor luck of getting to play home games in the uae. looked like he could be ok but faded away like so many bowlers do.
Flem274*
123/5
also im glad we're taking so many spinners as insurance against some of the decks sri lanka has thrown up recently.
if it's a meme pitch, we have some good horses for courses options. just need to find a guy who can bowl through a kiwi summer in case we need him (our spinners barely get a trundle at home these days).
if it's a meme pitch, we have some good horses for courses options. just need to find a guy who can bowl through a kiwi summer in case we need him (our spinners barely get a trundle at home these days).
Moss
International Vice-Captain
Neesham would have been a useful squad member in case of any injuries to the top 7. Guess as a worst case scenario if there is really rotten luck with injuries, they should be prepared to fly down Guptill from the UK.
straw man
Hall of Fame Member
Hazeldine was described as a mini Wagner a season or two ago iirc - certainly has boundless energy and aggression in his run-up and delivery stride, makes me tired just looking at it. Obv our bowling stocks are very strong at the moment with a clear top 5 and two or three more lined up behind those, so he'd have to do exceptionally well to push his way up the list. But he's definitely someone you'd like having around the domestic scene testing the batsmen in that way.
why injury prone Todd Astle?
who debut in sri lanka way back in 2012
he still new for me with 4 test wickets in 4 test
he was Opening Batsman in 2009 for Canterbury.He now Leg spinner.S.smith (Cheater> Aus ) too debut in test as spinner now number 1 or 2 Ranking batsman
who debut in sri lanka way back in 2012
he still new for me with 4 test wickets in 4 test
he was Opening Batsman in 2009 for Canterbury.He now Leg spinner.S.smith (Cheater> Aus ) too debut in test as spinner now number 1 or 2 Ranking batsman
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Kippax
Cricketer Of The Year
Well there's a very pro-Astle article for you (the World Cup selection obviously didn't come true) -
In defence of Todd Astle: now New Zealand's top test spinner and World Cup-bound
I always thought the first raw deal (not mentioned there) was actually having Bradburn as the 2013 NZA coach (a very recent recruiter of Sodhi in domestic cricket, someone who went in with a pretty strong slant towards Sodhi having the much higher ceiling as a Test cricketer regardless of what he was seeing) .Then Astle bowled an ODI spell to India A in 2017 that Rahul Dravid made special mention of as an absolutely A+ spell. NZ's selectors rewarded it right away, then the injury-prone jinx struck for the first of about three times in 12 months.
So yeah, he's not fully one of those 'too good for Plunket Shield, too crap for Tests' players who's just hit on bit of a simpleton's method for lots of success against naive and unsophisticated cricketers in our domestic competitions. I think he's partly that, but not fully.
Moss
International Vice-Captain
Astle's been unlucky for sure with the injuries and what not and being a fringe figure in each of the tests he's played (that 35 on debut was rather special though it must be said). Hard to ignore the body of work in domestic cricket nevertheless so deserves the chance to show if he can survive at the international level. Would be a cool story if he plays and has a good tour, but with KW not appearing to be his greatest fan (or of legspin as a possible weapon in general) it probably won't pan out that way.